17 Best places to visit in New Zealand

New Zealand is both a dream destination and a lifetime place to visit once for many travelers. New Zealand is a beautiful place which is filled with amazing beaches, magnificent waterfalls, and spectacular mountains. New Zealand is the best and the most beautiful country in the world.

Here are some reasons why this place is so special.

1. Stewart Island

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The third largest island in New Zealand is the Stewart Island which is even far more stretched in the south than the South Island. Most of the islands are capped with forests and undeveloped with more than 80 percent of the island which is separated into Rakiura National Park, giving you an opportunity to explore the wild side of New Zealand. Most of the leisure time on Stewart Island goes with the outdoors, including hiking, camping, and bird-watching.

Northwest Circuit is one of the most popular treks on Stewart Island which can take many days to complete for the best climbers. However, Trek provides access to fantastic views and wonderful wildlife.

2. Glacier Country

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The astonishing Glacier country is found on the west coast of South Island, and its precious gem is the Westland National Park. In the park, you will get an opportunity to see two of the country’s finest glaciers: Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Franz Josef Glacier is one such glacier that is amongst the reachable one on the planet, which means that you can actually go through the glacier and even through the Glacier Valley. You can even relax soaking the sun rays in the incredible glacier hot pools.

3. Muriwai Beach, Auckland

Muriwai beach on the West Coast only takes a 40-minute drive from Auckland’s City Centre. Massive black sand dunes, amazing surf, and heart-stopping sunsets make this one of the best spots you can visit in New Zealand’s biggest “city”. When you visit the Muriwai Beach on a stormy day then you will get to know the reason why it has been given the nickname of Wild West Coast.

4. Milford Sound

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This is the most beautiful place in the whole country if not in the world. You will be blown by seeing the beauty of aggrandized rainforests, huge mountains, hundreds of cascading waterfalls and dolphins! A sound is a beautiful place that can be explored by boat, kayak or aircraft.

5. Matapouri, Northland

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These huge hidden Panna rock pools named “Mermaid Pool” are so deep that you can right on hit to dive in.

Advise: Avoid going to high tide because the waves can crash at rocks with dangerous speed and range to your sunbathing perch!

6. Mount Cook

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The eminence of this place needs to be believed. Taking the track of Hooker Valley, you will be meeting the dramatic scenes of New Zealand’s highest mountain. An easy journey revolves around Hoger River over picturesque swing bridges and offers views of the vast ancient glaciers.

If you are still standing and listening, you can actually hear Glacier continuously cracking and moving. There is a Tasman lake which is at a 20-minutes distance from the car park. Here you can see the Mount Cook reflection in the water and big chunks of icebergs floating!

7. Wanaka Lake

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Wanaka is located on the Crown Range from Queenstown. If you want to have a serene environment full of spectacular mountain peaks around yourself then you must visit the famous Puzzle World, kayak the lake and explore the most amazing and biking tracks.

Around you, you can hit world-class snow on the slopes of Treble Cone and Cardrona Ski resorts. Even if you are not a skier, the trip will take you into view which will be enough to make you want to stay there only.

8. Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island is one of the magical places to go to New Zealand is that many people do not try to reach, but the trip is well worth it.

A 4-hour boat ride or a 30-minute flight will see you sliding onwhite sandy beaches, jumping from secret springs and cooling in natural hot springs hidden in the bush! While searching for this epic island, you will not find yourself alone.

To blend with the locals, do not get worried about wearing any shoes and greet everyone who you see!

9. Cathedral Cove

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While this is a top spot to hit on your New Zealand trip, it can get a bit crowded so it is well worth a sunrise mission! Head to the very right-hand side of the beach to find a fresh waterfall trickling down the cliffside – the perfect way to rinse off after a salty swim! Also, don’t neglect the other bays you will pass on your walk back. Stingray Bay and Gemstone Bay are just as beautiful in their own way, and because people often don’t make the effort to visit you can have them all to yourself for a swim. Gemstone Bay is amazing for snorkeling, so take a snorkel & mask!

10. Russell, Bay Of Islands

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As the first permanent European settlement, Russell’s original road plan from 1843 is still standing and features some of New Zealand’s oldest historic buildings such as beautiful lovely cafes and delicious restaurants.

Russell is also a stunning enclave entrance with more than 140 sub-tropical islands.

The crystal clear water, amazing dolphins, incredible fishing and the sky full of stars is so bright that you will not believe your eyes.

11. Owharoa Falls, Karangahake Gorge

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Your trip will be incomplete without the Owharoa Falls in Karangahake Gorge. You can just go relaxing and enjoy swimming on the hot summers day.

12. Whangarei Falls

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Many people go to this photogenic place to take their pictures and just leave. But a lesser known secret is that you can actually climb behind these falls! It will be great if you can quickly head to the rising sun hitting the water in the right place and you will be all covered in the rainbow shelter.

13. Roys Peak

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If you are eager for a mission, then the increase in the 6-hour return is worth every step you take. Efforts to trek will reward you with the creation of some serious lactic acid and epic scenes of Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, Matukituki Valley and Wanaka.

Be prepared for a fast-changing weather here – take the appropriate shoes and warm windproof clothes. You can get sun, rain, wind, drizzling and snow in less than a minute.

14. Queenstown

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Without a Queenstown, a list of “The best places to go to New Zealand” will not be complete. Thousands of tourists flock to see this incredible city, famous for its adventure activities and it is not difficult to see why. When you head towards Gondola you will experience the most amazing scenes of the Southern Alps and Luge is also worth watching.

15. Tongariro National Park

You can find New Zealand’s oldest national park by sitting in the middle of the Northern Island.

There are 3 volcanoes in this area, including Mount Tongariro and Mount Ruapehu- a huge active stratovolcano which you can ski and snowboard in winter time! If you are looking for places to go to New Zealand from the Lord of the Rings, then you can recognize Mount Ngauruhoe, which is known as Mount Doom in the movies.

For any person who is a huge lover of hiking, the Tongariro Crossing is yet another place to explore during the spring and summer months.

16. Rotorua

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Rotorua is known as New Zealand’s Thermal Wonderland. There are several geysers and hot waterfalls in and around the city. Many of these are in the park and reserve. Natural explosions of steam, hot water and soil every now and then occur in new places.

Wai-O-Tapu is a place to explore which is close-by Rotorua with many hot springs famous for their colorful appearance in addition to the beauty of Lady Knox Geyser.

17. White Island, New Zealand

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White Island is the most active volcano in the country, making it one of the best places to travel to New Zealand for adventure travelers.

Take a beautiful helicopter ride with Volcano Air Safari and get close and personal with White Island. The tour of the White Island tour is not everyone’s cup of tea: Because it is a very active volcano, you have to wear a hard hat and gas mask.

You can also watch volcanologists monitoring the volcano. White Island is also known as Te Puia o Whakaari, a Maori name that translates to “The Dramatic Volcano.”

You can even go scuba diving around White Island for a look at the volcano’s underwater vents.

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